Not just a plant but a park
The first step in developing the project was our analysis in 2001 and 2002 that clearly showed additional power was required in south-central Minnesota, especially during peak periods.
Site selection was next. We ticked off items on the standard list: access to the grid, access to a fuel source, access to water supplies, reasonable land costs, appropriate zoning, and a welcoming community. But we knew that a “welcoming community” could not be taken for granted. Even communities hungry for economic development can look askance at a power generation facility.
The City of Faribault calls itself “a dynamic, growing city” and is situated at the confluence of the Cannon and Straight Rivers in southern Minnesota. It was an obvious choice for a combined-cycle plant because a natural gas pipeline and a 115-kV Xcel Energy transmission line are located near the boundary of a healthy, expanding industrial park. (See sidebar for the plant specs.)
We knew that a community would welcome us only if we had a better message than, “We're here to build a power plant in your town.” Avant Energy (formerly Dahlen, Berg & Co.) brought to the board of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) the concept of creating the plant as a community asset. The Avant concept includes seven rules for integrating a facility into the community in a positive manner:
- Look beyond power generation. The overarching philosophy behind the project needs to answer the question, “What's in it for the community?” The answers must deal with the obvious, such as providing power and jobs, but they must also address things the community cares about: aesthetics, environmental footprint, economic benefits, and how the plant will support the future of the community.
- Communicate clearly. Configure the project to make it a true asset to the community and tell the story in an honest, straightforward, and effective manner.
- Treat the community as a partner and neighbor. Listen to what citizens are saying.
- Recognize that choice of language is important. Naming the facility was a key consideration. Avant suggested Faribault Energy Park because “energy park” is symbolic of the plant's well-maintained and park-like appearance and its accessibility to the public for walking, relaxing, bird-watching, and even fishing.
- Make the plant attractive. A master landscaping plan included attractive plantings surrounding plant buildings, plus landscaped areas surrounding holding ponds that featured walking paths and educational displays.
- Design it to be green. Minnesota's citizens are highly sensitive to environmental issues, so the plant had to be designed as “green” as technologically possible. That included minimizing emissions, handling water wisely, and building in the capability to burn renewable fuel sources, such as vegetable oils (Figure 2). The plant needed to be designed in ways that would allow a positive environmental story to be told.
- Communicate with the community early and often. We offered educational opportunities for the community and designed the facility to enable school and other community groups to tour the facility, learn about energy generation, and enjoy the property. A Web site, www.FaribaultEnergyPark.com, was developed to provide project information and a link through which citizens could ask questions.
2. Multi-fueled gas turbine. A GE Frame 7FA combustion turbine generator being installed in Faribault Energy Park. The plant will also burn recycled vegetable oil, soy oil, and camelina oil. Courtesy: Avant Energy
Avant's proposal resonated with the MMPA board, which comprises city officials and utility managers from 11 communities in south-central Minnesota—people who could identify their own cities with Faribault.
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